Week 1 – Snowdonia here we come… #runchat #asics262 @marathoneryri

logoOn New Years Eve I entered the Brooks Snowdonia Marathon (Marathon Eryri) – taking place on 29 October 2016. It was a good idea at the time and would be two years after my previous marathon. I wanted the challenge.

2016 hasn’t been a kind year for training. What started off in January as a positive outlook for the year ahead, it soon turned into a few months of niggles, sniffles and lack of confidence at not being able to run. The small runs that I managed left me frustrated at the lack of progress. I stopped training to rest and recover but that didn’t really help – I stuggled with not running. I also had to pull out of the third Swansea Half Marathon – gutted.

Anyway – things are getting better and as we reach 18 weeks until Snowdonia I have started training again. Once again following one of the Asics 262 plans (Isobel’s 4:30 plan). It worked for me before so I have every faith it will work again.

Week one training schedule:

WEEK ONE (approx 20M)

  • Mon Rest
  • Tues 4M with middle 2M at 10k pace (approx 9 min miling)
  • Wed Rest
  • Thu 4M including 6 x 20 second hill reps with walk recoveries between each.
  • Fri Rest
  • Sat 9M very easy
  • Sun 3M easy (on grass or trails)

It’s Wednesday now so it’s a rest day but last night’s 4M was the most I have run in a long time. The pace was good too and I stayed as close to 9 as I could. I don’t think I went over 9:10min/mile during that two mile 10k pace.

The plan covers 16 weeks so I will be following the Week One schedule for Weeks 1 and 2 – re-building that base fitness.

So onwards and upwards. Finger crossed it all goes well. If you enjoy keeping up with the running stats then my Strava logs can be found here.

Other information:

  • Current Trainers: Asics Gel Nimbus 16 (@ 389.4 miles)
  • Kit: General Asics stuff
  • Tracking: Garmin 920Xt

Things to do:

  • Upgrade to Strava Premium
  • Decide on a charity